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The growing populations of sika deer ( Cervus nippon yesoensis) in Hokkaido, Japan, are having increasingly negative impacts on forests. Although the percentage or frequency of browsed twigs and seedlings is a useful index of the impact of deer on forests, differences in the browse preferences of deer among tree species should also be considered. We evaluated the woody browse preferences of sika deer and examined a method for evaluating deer impacts based on the occurrence of browsing scars on seedlings, together with browse preferences. We also validated the percentages of browsed seedlings irrespective of browse preferences as an index of deer impact. We measured the heights of seedlings 30-200 cm tall in five 5 × 20 m plots located in Abies sachalinensis plantations in each of seven tracts and recorded browsing damage that occurred on leader shoots of seedlings. Browse species preference was evaluated using a generalized linear model (GLM) that included the seven tracts, species, and seedling height as explanatory variables. The results of the GLM suggest that differences in browse preferences among species are continuous and cannot be categorized discretely. The tract coefficients are considered to be an index of deer impact levels and can be estimated from the percentage of browsed seedlings for a species if the species coefficient is given. Simple percentages of browsed seedlings can also be used as an index of impact level, regardless of browse preferences, though these may be inaccurate, especially when the site is dominated by significantly preferred or avoided species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Derived members of the enigmatic mammalian order Desmostylia have molars comprising appressed columns whose morphology does not render their function in feeding simple to discern. Here we describe a new genus and species,Ounalashkastylus tomidai, more derived thanCornwalliusbut less derived thanDesmostylusandVanderhoofius, which develop a hypertrophied medial eminence on the dentary ontogenetically. Tooth morphology, vaulted palate and the medial eminence, which can rise to the level of the occlusal surface of M2, suggest that derived desmostylids clenched their teeth strongly while employing suction during feeding, most likely on marine and coastal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Japanese hunter population is declining, while human-wildlife conflicts (e.g., damage by overabundant sika deer) have become an issue in suburban and rural areas. Beginning in 2004, a community-based deer management program was initiated by a local nongovernmental organization in collaboration with stakeholders in Nishiokoppe Village, Hokkaido, Japan. The goal was to integrate deer management with a contribution to the local economy by attracting visitor hunters and to develop a hunter education program. For the first 3 years, 60 hunters made 136 visits, hunted 337 days, and harvested 280 deer, while 173 persons attended the hands-on hunter education programs that can help recruit younger hunters. The programs generated 191,000 USD during the years, providing employment for several local residents. We suggest that a combination of recreational hunting and hunter education in rural areas can promote community-based wildlife management in a highly developed and high density society where hunting participation is declining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]